So is Silent Hill 3 Atheistic? *Spoiler discussion*

[Opa Opa]

Note: This thread is not meant to stir anything up (insults and the like) about religion. If you're thinking about posting something inappropriate: Please don't do it. I don't want this thread to get locked.

Thank you.
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^Sorry about this but it I felt it was necessary.
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Alright guys. Every day I normally check Gamefaqs because I like seeing what the daily poll is and sometimes they have an interesting top 10 list.

Here is the list for today. http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/top10/2304.html

It's the Top 10 Silent Hill Monsters.

Being a Silent Hill fan I had to give it a read but something caught my eye.

*Spoilers Start Here*

#2: Valtiel in Silent Hill 3

[...] It has a passive role in the game. It never attacks or even threaten you. Whenever a shift in the Otherworld occurs, Valtiel appears before Heather. In many instances it is seen turning a valve. What do these things mean? There are many answers, all making sense. He must be a subordinate of a powerful supernatural entity, most probably the God of the religion of Silent Hill. Some people worship it as the one closest to God, and he's known to control the transition between this world and the Otherworld and also control the cycle of the rebirth of God.

[...]Valtiel is, to my humble opinion, a symbol of religion. It's worshiped, it looks like a priest, it has and in a metaphysics of the game, but it doesn't engage you directly. This game is, whether its developers wanted that or not, the most atheistic game ever existed, and Valtiel is a summary of this theme of the game.

Well what do you guys think? Do you think that Silent Hill 3 is a symbol of Atheism or do you disagree with the writer of this list?

I'd really like to know what others think because I know there are a lot of Horror fans on this site.

I've still got to put my thoughts together so I'll post what I think soon.


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Oh and I found this statement to be a tad confusing:

He must be a subordinate of a powerful supernatural entity, most probably the God of the religion of Silent Hill. Some people worship it as the one closest to God, and he's known to control the transition between this world and the Otherworld and also control the cycle of the rebirth of God.

So to make it a bit more clear: Valtiel not THE god of the cult. He is a servant to the god in Silent Hill. Although, I seem to remember reading something in one of the games that said something to the effect that he did, in fact, have his own worshipers.

[flamepanther]

Disagree. That's like suggesting the Bible is atheistic because people are allowed to look at Gabriel but not at God. If anything, the fact that there's any sort of "supernatural being" present at all runs somewhat against most atheistic ideas.

[BoringSupreez]

Disagree. That's like suggesting the Bible is atheistic because people are allowed to look at Gabriel but not at God. If anything, the fact that there's any sort of "supernatural being" present at all runs somewhat against most atheistic ideas.

That's what I was thinking. Deus Ex and MGS2 are much more atheistic, really.

[Opa Opa]

I think "atheistic" was a bad choice for the author to have used. Silent Hill 3 establishes that there is a god and an angel-like being. However, there is a theme of "killing god" as it were.

I think what the author is trying to portray is that SH 3 displays the belief in destroying god and what he/she/it means to the believer. Maybe killing off a false savior (or Claudia's belief in the god's plan of salvation), as well?